03/03/2026
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
_____ SESSION OF THE _____ GENERAL ASSEMBLY
A BILL
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING CHAPTER 56 TO TITLE 44 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE “SOUTH CAROLINA MEDICAL CANNABIS AND PATIENT PROTECTION ACT”; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE LEGAL USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS BY QUALIFYING PATIENTS; TO ESTABLISH A REGULATORY PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSING OF CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, TESTING, AND DISPENSING FACILITIES; TO PROVIDE FOR PATIENT PROTECTIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR TAXATION AND REVENUE DISTRIBUTION; AND TO PROVIDE FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND DECLARATION
The General Assembly recognizes the historical, agricultural, and medical significance of plants and herbs as reflected in longstanding human experience and tradition.
“The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:12 (NIV)
“O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.” Psalm 104:24 (KJV)
The General Assembly further finds that modern medical science and regulatory systems allow for the safe, controlled, and lawful use of medical cannabis under physician supervision for qualifying patients.
SECTION 2. Title 44 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
CHAPTER 56
South Carolina Medical Cannabis and Patient Protection Act
Section 44-56-10. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the “South Carolina Medical Cannabis and Patient Protection Act.”
Section 44-56-20. Legislative findings and purpose.
(A) The General Assembly finds that citizens of this State, including military veterans and individuals suffering from serious medical conditions, experience chronic pain and debilitating illness; that many patients rely on multiple prescription medications which may result in harmful side effects and reduced quality of life; that patients in South Carolina currently travel to other states where medical cannabis is legally regulated in order to obtain treatment; that this travel results in economic loss to the State and hardship to its citizens; that other states have implemented regulated medical cannabis programs that provide physician-supervised access and product safety; and that it is in the interest of the State to establish a regulated program to protect patients and ensure public safety.
(B) The purpose of this chapter is to provide compassionate care to qualifying patients; to ensure cannabis products are regulated, tested, and safely dispensed; to protect qualifying patients from criminal penalties; to establish a controlled system of licensing and regulation; and to generate lawful revenue for public benefit.
Section 44-56-30. Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter:
(1) “Department” means the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
(2) “Medical cannabis” means cannabis dispensed for medical use pursuant to this chapter.
(3) “Qualifying patient” means a person certified by a licensed physician.
(4) “Medical cannabis establishment” means a licensed cultivator, processor, dispensary, or testing facility.
Section 44-56-40. Medical cannabis program established.
(A) The Department shall establish and administer a medical cannabis program.
(B) The Department shall maintain a patient registry, issue licenses, promulgate regulations, and ensure compliance with this chapter.
Section 44-56-50. Licensing.
The Department shall issue licenses for cultivation facilities, processing facilities, dispensaries, and testing laboratories. Applicants must comply with all regulatory requirements established by the Department.
Section 44-56-60. Patient protections.
A qualifying patient may not be arrested, prosecuted, or penalized for lawful possession and use of medical cannabis in compliance with this chapter.
Section 44-56-70. Medical Cannabis Public Benefit Fund.
(A) There is established the South Carolina Medical Cannabis Public Benefit Fund.
(B) Revenue generated pursuant to this chapter may be appropriated by the General Assembly for law enforcement salaries, equipment, and support; public school construction, renovation, and safety; correctional facility construction and repair; teacher salaries; firefighter salaries, facilities, and equipment; emergency medical services; road construction, repair, and infrastructure; and veteran healthcare and support programs.
Section 44-56-80. Implementation.
The Department shall implement this chapter within twelve months of the effective date.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
(McMaster will not sign it because the sled agent that is over sled has gotten McMaster out of so much trouble is why McMaster won't sign the bill because the head sled agent doesn't want him to.
look it up under the FOIA)
